A recent study at Fundo Puchegüín, a private property of 133,000 hectares in the Los Lagos Region, confirmed the presence of between six and eight huemules (Hippocamelus bisulcus). Through trap cameras installed in January, 88 photographic and video records were obtained showing adult males, a juvenile, and a female, all in high mountain habitats surrounded by lenga forests and high Andean steppes.
The discovery marks a new northern limit in the species distribution on the Chilean side of Patagonia, providing valuable data for its conservation. Most of the specimens were captured alone, although two observations of a couple were recorded, which could indicate reproductive activity.
This finding is part of the work of the “Conserva Puchegüín” initiative, led by Puelo Patagonia and various organizations, which seeks to permanently protect this territory currently for sale. The place not only hosts huemules but also functions as a biological corridor connecting over 1.6 million hectares of protected areas between Chile and Argentina.
Its strategic location facilitates the mobility of fauna and genetic flow between natural spaces such as Hornopirén National Park in Chile and Lago Puelo National Park in Argentina. Protecting it is key to the regional ecological balance.
The role of Fundo Puchegüín in conservation
Since 2019, Puelo Patagonia documented the presence of huemules in the Puelo River basin, promoting actions to preserve their habitat. This new record confirms that the area is a natural refuge, maintained in good condition thanks to the harmonious coexistence of its residents with the local fauna.
Community involvement was central. The monitoring results were shared with the inhabitants of the Cochamó mountain range, who expressed pride and commitment to the species’ protection. For them, the photographic evidence of their existence is a milestone, as seeing a huemul in the wild remains exceptional.
The next step includes expanding monitoring, strengthening cooperation with neighboring communities, and coordinating actions with Argentine specialists to study the movements and connections of these deer across the mountain range.
Huemul: conservation status and threats
The huemul is classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The global population does not exceed 2,000 individuals, distributed in small isolated subpopulations throughout the Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia.
In Chile, it is estimated that there are less than 1,500 individuals, mainly in protected areas and remote mountainous areas. Its main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, the introduction of exotic species, and diseases transmitted by livestock.
The huemul is considered a flagship species, which means that its protection also implies the conservation of many other species that share its environment. Protecting its habitats favors the preservation of complete ecosystems, including native forests, wetlands, and associated fauna.
For its conservation, it is recommended to create and strengthen biological corridors, control human activities that degrade its environment, work together with local communities, and promote binational cooperation between Chile and Argentina.
